Chapter 8

Flower Street?

Isn't that just the modern-day — Red Light District?

Saul goes to that kind of place for morning exercises?

With that kind of physique and age...

Maud felt speechless.

The shop started its business, but there were few customers.

Sunny didn't assign Maud any tasks, and Maud didn't take the initiative to do anything.

He leaned against the corner of the wall, closed his eyes, and continued to sort through the memories of the Pirate King.

Once the memories were mostly sorted out, he would have to pick up the long-abandoned [daily training].

After all, the Hunter's Note couldn't provide substantial help in the short term, unless another Watt would show up.

Time passed bit by bit.

Two hours went by, and not a single customer came.

Maud glanced at Sunny, who was sitting behind the counter, reading a newspaper over and over again.

From her calm reaction, it seemed that the poor business was the norm for this weapon shop.

Moreover, it was strangely quiet.

Maud turned to look at the slightly ajar double wooden doors.

As a lawless area where street fights often broke out, after a few hours, he could only hear the faint footsteps of people passing by outside the shop.

Feeling strange, Maud walked towards the shop door.

Seeing that Sunny didn't react, Maud pulled open the wooden door and poked his head out to look around.

A moment later, Maud retreated and silently closed the door.

Mad, isn't this just an alley in a residential area?

No wonder it's so quiet most of the time.

Opening a weapon shop in such a location, if you didn't know better, you'd think they were selling alcohol.

Maud cursed inwardly.

The high-end image of Mad Hat Town, based on simple information, was gradually diminishing.

He suddenly had the urge to go out and explore the streets, but quickly suppressed it.

Instead of thinking about that, it would be better to figure out how to get a gun from Saul to carry on him.

Maud turned around and walked towards the corner of the wall.

He had only taken a few steps when the shop door was suddenly pushed open.

Maud instinctively turned around, his eyes slowly widening.

Three people stood at the door, seemingly walking side by side, but in reality, the two men on either side were habitually half a step behind, highlighting the identity of the person in the middle.

The man on the left had a head of parted curly hair, a long-barreled flintlock musket on his back, and a five-finger-wide brown belt around his waist, with a bag of ammunition hanging on the left side of the belt.

The man on the right was obese but taller than the other two men.

He had a green headband tied around his head, wore a pair of small, wine-red sunglasses that were extremely mismatched with his face, and held a half-eaten piece of meat in his hand.

The double wooden door was pushed open by the man in the middle.

Looking at Maud, whose face had changed dramatically, he asked in confusion, then laughed heartily, "Young man, I didn't bump into you, did I?"

......

Mad Hat Town, Cape Street.

This area was adjacent to the bar street and was also the location of the black market.

Any transaction that couldn't be done in the light could be conducted openly here.

Cape Street centered around Mad Hat Town's largest auction house, with various places related to the black industry radiating outwards.

Arthur's workplace, [Beauty Home], was also among them.

As an undertaker, he had a never-ending stream of business.

Of course, most of the business was obtained through his "abilities."

Today was his rare monthly day off, and to enjoy this precious time, he had already scheduled his activities for the day in advance.

However, just as he was about to go to the Flower Street for some training after a hearty meal, he heard the Den Den Mushi ring and had a bad feeling.

Half an hour later, he returned to his workplace.

Working for someone else always left him with no choice.

He sighed inwardly as he changed into his work uniform.

Uniform, mask, and an armband with the word [Death] painted on it.

These three items were the standard equipment for undertakers after they joined the profession.

After changing into his work uniform, Arthur waited for the next order.

Colleagues gradually returned to [Beauty Home], probably summoned back by the boss.

"Why are you back too? Could it be that the 'Pig Factory' is in trouble again?"

"Yes, it happened this morning, another slave riot."

"How many slaves died this time?"

"Not sure, but it's said to be worse than last time."

"Tch, I thought we had a big job, but it's just another mess from there."

An undertaker complained.

The lead undertaker looked at the colleagues present and said calmly, "Let's go once everyone is here."

Arthur sat in an inconspicuous corner, silently listening to the conversation.

It seems the 'Pig Factory' is in trouble again, and many slaves must have died.

In other words, there will be a lot of work today.

And it's a job with a lot of work but little pay.

Arthur sighed inwardly.

A rare day off...

"I heard that there will be some major auction items at the end-of-month auction."

"What kind of auction items?"

"A Devil Fruit, a famous sword, and a Fishman slave."

"Really? Where did you hear that? The auction hasn't even released the catalog yet."

"I swear on my honor!"

"Then it must be fake."

"?"

"Oh, I almost forgot that I'm a heartless undertaker. Honor is something I lost when I joined the profession. How about I swear on something else?"

In the corner, Arthur's ears twitched, and he subtly glanced at the colleagues nearby who were whispering.

A Devil Fruit and a famous sword?

Arthur was somewhat surprised but didn't easily believe the authenticity of these rumors.

Although in this place where all sorts of people mix, thanks to alcohol, some rumors might spread faster than official news, a Devil Fruit is an extremely rare item.

If the auction house had acquired one, they would have likely announced it widely.

"A Devil Fruit..."

Arthur's eyes showed a hint of longing.

With his income level, it would take him decades of frugality to have a chance to compete for one.

If the end-of-month auction really has a Devil Fruit, even if he doesn't have the qualifications to bid, he can still go and join the excitement.

As for the famous sword, Saul might be interested.

......

A bar on the bar street.

It was noon, but the bar was already bustling with people.

As one of the main places for pirates to spend their money, it's not surprising that the bar was crowded with customers.

Kidd sat alone at a table, standing out in the crowded bar.

Despite this, no one dared to bother him.

Because the dozen or so pirates lying on the ground were a warning.

At this moment, a man wearing a blue mask entered the bar, looked around, and then walked straight to Kidd's table.

He sat down at Kidd's table.

Kidd looked up at the masked man and said, "You're here."

The masked man nodded and asked, "Did you buy the gun?"

"No."

Kidd shook his head.

"Was it bought by someone else?"

"No, the boss wouldn't sell it to me."

"Wouldn't sell it to you? What's going on?"

"I don't know."

Kidd drank the rest of the alcohol in the bottle, feeling frustrated.

The masked man, however, had a good idea of what was happening and said, "Give me the money, and I'll buy it."

"The money is almost gone."

"..."

The masked man was speechless.

Kidd, however, had a carefree expression.

In his view, money was something that could be easily obtained by robbing.